Political deadlock brings together Malaysia’s royal family

ISTANBUL (AA) – Amid political deadlock over a new government, Malaysia’s royal family will be holding meetings to find a way out of the current situation.

The royal palace, known as Istana Negara, said in a statement that the Council of Rulers will meet and King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will brief and seek opinions from other eight members of the council.

The development comes after former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin-led National Alliance or Perikatan Nasional (PN) refused to accept the king’s advice on forming a “unity government” with Anwar Ibrahim, whose Alliance of Hope, or Pakatan Harapan (PH), secured most seats in the parliament but fell short of forming a government on its own.

The PN has secured the support of 73 lawmakers, including 22 from the Islamic Party of Malaysia, or Parti Islam Se Malaysia (PAS).

Malaysia has a hung parliament for the first time in its 59-year history following the recent general elections.

The results of the 15th general elections showed the majority of ethnic Malay voters and those siding with Islamic-aligned parties supporting the Muhyiddin-led PN.

“Anwar’s vote share shows that not just Muslims but non-Muslims have put their weight behind the former deputy prime minister,” said a political observer requesting anonymity.

“There is impasse; the Council of Rulers, nine of them including the king, will try to find ways … possibly for a unity government to which Anwar Ibrahim has already agreed but Muhyiddin Yassin has refused,” he said.

Anwar and Yassin met the monarch on Tuesday.

Any potential prime ministerial candidate should gather the support of at least 112 lawmakers from the 220-seat parliament.

While the PH has confirmed the support of 82 lawmakers, political observers believe independents can jump to its side taking it to 86 or above, but yet short of 112.

After meeting the king a day earlier, Ibrahim, 75, had told media outside the palace that the monarch “desired to form a strong government that is more inclusive in terms of race, religion or region that would allow the government to focus on resolving problems … and resuscitate our economy.”

The BN’s role is seen as crucial in any new government while the GPS had indicated it may also support a coalition of the PN and BN with Yassin as premier but there is no final decision yet.